2026 World Cup Qualifiers: FIFA Penalises South Africa, Strips Three Points for Ineligible Player

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed sanctions on the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their 2026 FIFA World Cup preliminary qualifier against Lesotho on March 21, 2025.

FIFA ruled that SAFA’s action violated Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations. Consequently, the fixture has been forfeited in favour of Lesotho, with a 3-0 scoreline awarded.

Alongside the forfeiture, SAFA was fined CHF 10,000, while Mokoena received an official warning.

The decision, formally communicated today, gives SAFA ten days to request a detailed ruling, which would later be published on legal.fifa.com. The matter remains open to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.

Before the sanction, Hugo Broos’ men topped Group C with 17 points from eight matches. However, the ruling has overturned their 2-0 victory against Lesotho, leaving them overtaken by second-placed Benin, who now lead the standings after the adjustment.

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